Had a similar scare last year—rented a BMW for a weekend trip, figured my credit card would cover everything. Turns out, it didn’t cover “loss of use” either. Ended up paying way more than the daily insurance would’ve cost. Not worth the gamble if you ask me.
Honestly, I get why people skip the insurance, but I just can't bring myself to risk it. Stuff goes wrong at the worst possible times—like, you think you’re covered, then there’s some weird clause or exception. I’ve read way too many stories about folks getting dinged for “loss of use” or “diminished value” after a fender bender. Even if it’s just a tiny scratch, rental companies love to pile on fees.
I know the daily insurance feels like a ripoff, but compared to the stress and potential costs? I’d rather pay a little extra upfront and not have to worry about fine print or chasing down my credit card company. Maybe it’s just me being overly cautious, but peace of mind is worth something too.
Rental Car Insurance: Worth It Or Just A Money Grab?
I know the daily insurance feels like a ripoff, but compared to the stress and potential costs? I’d rather pay a little extra upfront and not have to worry about fine print or chasing down my credit card company.
Honestly, I’m right there with you. I’ve seen way too many claims where people thought their credit card or personal auto policy would cover everything, only to get stuck with “loss of use” charges or some random admin fee. Rental companies are quick to tack on costs you’d never expect—sometimes even for stuff like “diminished value” after a minor scrape.
It’s true, the daily insurance isn’t cheap, and sometimes it does feel like you’re just padding their profits. But when you factor in the hassle of arguing over coverage or waiting weeks for reimbursement, that upfront cost starts to look a lot more reasonable. I’ve had folks call in totally blindsided by exclusions they didn’t even know existed.
Maybe it’s not for everyone, but if you’re risk-averse or just don’t want to deal with the headache, paying for the coverage can save a lot of stress. Peace of mind isn’t nothing, especially when you’re traveling or on a tight schedule.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I used to think it was just a way for rental companies to squeeze more cash out of us, but after watching a friend deal with a scratched bumper fiasco, I’m not so sure anymore. He thought his credit card would cover it all, but ended up paying out of pocket for random fees he’d never even heard of. Sometimes that peace of mind is worth the extra bucks, especially if you’re in a new city or just want to keep things simple.
